Trek-Segafredo and Antonio Tiberi have split up after he shot killed a minister’s cat in San Marino.

According to reports, the 21-year-old Italian stated he was practicing with an air weapon and directed it at a cat belonging to San Marino’s Tourism and Posts Minister Federico Pedini Amati.

A judge fined him €4,000 (£3,500) and suspended him for 20 days.

Trek-Segafredo confirmed in a statement that they had “mutually agreed to part ways” with Tiberi.

“The rider’s actions during his suspension did not meet our criteria for a return to competition,” it continued. With his contract officially ended, the rider is free to join another team.”

“The cat didn’t bother anyone,” Amati stated after the incident.

“It had been with us for quite some time.” Lucia, my three-year-old daughter, enjoyed it. You can’t kill a pet and avoid a 4,000-euro fine.”

Trek-Segafredo stated that Mr Tiberi’s deferred income would be donated to an animal protection organization.

Tiberi was the world junior time trial champion in 2019 and had recently moved to San Marino.